Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them? It's important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment.

Eating with Braces

For the first few days after getting your braces, you will want to eat a softer diet (soups, pasta, mashed potatoes and gravy, milkshakes) until the initial soreness abates. You should then be able to enjoy most foods, just as you did before braces! However you will need to protect your braces from breakage (as this tends to prolong treatment) and there are a few things which should be avoided:

Foods to avoid with braces:

• "chewy foods" such as bagels, granola, hard rolls
• "crunchy foods" like popcorn, thick chips, chewing on ice
• "sticky foods" such as gum, caramel, taffy, dried fruit
• "hard foods" like nuts, candy, peanut brittle, suckers

Corn must be removed from the cob, carrots and apples cut up and the meat needs to be removed from the bone of ribs and wings. Chewing on fingernails and pens/pencils will also break braces and lengthen treatment time!

Foods you CAN eat with braces:

• Dairy – soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
• Breads – soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins w/o nuts
• Grains – pasta, soft-cooked rice
• Meats/poultry – soft-cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
• Seafood – tuna, salmon, crab cakes
• Vegetables – mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
• Fruits – applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
• Treats – ice cream w/o nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake

Soreness caused from braces and appliances

When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal for patients who have just gotten their braces put on, and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the salt water).

If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever. The lips, cheeks, and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they start to "toughen up" and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. We would be happy to give you some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need some wax, please let us know!

Loose Teeth

This is normal! Teeth must be loosened slightly in order to move them. Once held in their newly-corrected position by retainers, they will tighten up again within a few months.

Loose Wires and Bands

The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.

You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.

Take Care of your Appliances

To ensure the most optimal result, the orthodontist and patient must function as a team. Tooth movement is possible only if the braces are not broken (by poor diet and/or oral habits), and if rubber bands and appliances are worn as directed! Appointments need to be kept on a regular basis. Anything less will lead to increased treatment time.

Click here to read more about the proper care of your appliances

Playing Sports with Braces

Game, Set, Match – we have great news for athletes! You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do play sports, it's recommended that you wear a mouthguard in order to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let your doctor know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.

In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and your appliance for any damage that may have occurred. If you notice any loose teeth, or if your appliance has been damaged, please contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort with wax or by rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.

Brushing and Flossing

Brushing Your Teeth with Braces

When you have braces it's very important to brush and floss after every meal in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your treatment. If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth and your appliance.

Brushing: Step 1

Using a dry brush with a small amount of toothpaste place bristles where gums and teeth meet.

Brushing: Step 2

For 10 seconds on each tooth use circular, vibrating motions around the gum lines.

Brushing: Step 3

Every tooth of both arches should be brushed slowly.

Brushing: Step 4

Brush the lower teeth from the gum line up and the upper teeth from the gum line down. Brush the roof of your mouth and your tongue too!

Flossing: Step 1

Carefully thread unwaxed floss between braces and wire. You may find a floss threader helpful.

Flossing: Step 2

Carefully floss around the braces.

Flossing: Step 3

Carefully floss around the gum areas.

Flossing: Step 4

Carefully floss around each tooth.

Printable instructions >